South of Pattaya, a sheer limestone cliff carries a surprise on a vast scale: a 109-metre golden Buddha, laser-etched into the rock and inlaid with gold. Khao Chi Chan — “Buddha Mountain” — is serene, free and quietly spectacular, and one of the easiest photogenic detours you can make from the city.
Why it’s worth a look
The scale and setting are the whole draw. The seated Buddha image, roughly 109 metres tall and 70 metres wide, rises above landscaped gardens and a reflecting lake — a genuinely peaceful counterpoint to Pattaya’s noise. It was commissioned in 1996 to mark the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign, depicts the Buddha in the Dhyana (meditation) posture, and ranks among the largest Buddha images in the world. It’s a quick, calm, photo-worthy stop rather than a long visit.
Plan your visit
- Cost: free — donations welcome; there may be a small parking or buggy charge at busy times.
- Hours: generally daily during daylight, roughly 06:00–18:00. Morning is best for cooler air and light.
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes is plenty.
- Dress: respectfully — it remains a revered religious image.
- Bring: water, a hat and sun protection; there’s little shade at the viewing area.
Getting there and combining it
Khao Chi Chan is a 25–30 minute drive south of central Pattaya, toward Na Chom Thian and Sattahip. Public transport is limited, so most people take a taxi, Grab or day tour. The site sits right next to the Silverlake Vineyard, making the two a natural pair, and you’re a short hop from the ornate Chinese temple-museum Viharn Sien and the gardens of Nong Nooch — enough for an easy southern half-day.
Honest verdict
Khao Chi Chan delivers a lot for a free stop: a genuinely awe-inspiring cliff Buddha in a calm garden setting, easy to photograph and easy to reach. The honest catches are that it’s a short visit — you’ll be done in under an hour — and it’s an open-air site with little shade, so timing and sun protection matter. Go in the morning, pair it with Silverlake or the sights nearby, and it’s one of the more memorable free things to do around Pattaya.
Recorded facts, FAQs & qualifications
Recorded short hours
Daily · 06:00–18:00
Daily, roughly 06:00–18:00 — confirm before you travel
Full overview
Khao Chi Chan — 'Buddha Mountain' — is one of the most striking free sights in the Pattaya area: a colossal image of the seated Buddha, roughly 109 metres tall and 70 metres wide, laser-etched into a sheer limestone cliff and inlaid with gold. Commissioned in 1996 to mark the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, it depicts the Buddha in the Dhyana (meditation) posture and is one of the largest Buddha images in the world. The setting does a lot of the work: the golden figure rises above landscaped gardens and a reflecting lake, with space to sit, take photos and take it in — a genuinely serene counterpoint to Pattaya's energy. It's free to enter (donations welcome), quick to see, and sits right beside the Silverlake Vineyard, making the two an easy paired half-day. Being carved into the cliff, it's an outdoor, open-air site with limited shade, so morning light is both cooler and best for photos, and respectful dress is expected as it remains a revered religious image. It's a drive south of the city — around 25–30 minutes toward Na Chom Thian and Sattahip — and while it's more a photogenic stop than a long visit, the sheer scale makes it well worth the detour, especially combined with the vineyard, Viharn Sien or Nong Nooch nearby.
More at-a-glance details
- General admission
- THB 0As of 2026-07-24 · tourismthailand.org
- Known for
- Buddha cliff viewing · Religious landmark visit
More planning notes
- The attraction closes at 18:00
- Visitors must dress modestly
- Tourism Thailand asks visitors to keep distance from the cliff
- The attraction is outdoors with limited weather shelter
- No verified official venue phone or social account was found
The details
Prices
As of 2026-07-24 (tourismthailand.org)
On site
Facilities
- Large Buddha image engraved into a cliff
- Gold-filled linework
- Landscaped viewing grounds
- Parking
- Visitor stalls
- Outdoor attraction
- Free admission
- Religious site
- Daytime-only access
Listing details
- Type
- temple
- Tickets
- Free (donations welcome)
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 06:00–18:00 — confirm before you travel
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Updated
- July 2026
Recorded guest rating
Check recent reviews
Compare current visitor feedback on independent platforms.
Highlights
- A 109m gold-inlaid Buddha etched into a sheer cliff face
- Calm gardens-and-lake setting with reflections and photo spots
- Free to visit and easy to pair with Silverlake Vineyard next door
Insider tips
- Go in the morning for cooler air and the best light on the cliff
- Combine with Silverlake Vineyard, Viharn Sien or Nong Nooch nearby
- Dress respectfully — it's a revered religious image
- Bring water and sun protection; there's little shade at the viewing area
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Khao Chi Chan?
No — Khao Chi Chan is free to visit, though donations are welcome and there may be a small charge for parking or optional buggy rides at busy times. It's an open-air site, so you can simply arrive, view the cliff Buddha from the gardens and lake, and take your photos.
What are the opening hours?
The site is generally open daily during daylight hours, roughly 06:00 to 18:00. As an outdoor landmark rather than a ticketed attraction, times can vary and aren't always strictly enforced, but morning is the best window for cooler air and good light. Confirm locally before a special trip.
How do you get to Khao Chi Chan from Pattaya?
It's about 25–30 minutes' drive south of central Pattaya, toward Na Chom Thian and Sattahip. The easiest options are a taxi, Grab or a day tour, as public transport is limited. It sits right next to Silverlake Vineyard, so many visitors combine the two in one trip.
How big is the Buddha, and what does it represent?
The image is roughly 109 metres tall and 70 metres wide — one of the largest Buddha images in the world. It was created in 1996 to honour the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, and shows the Buddha seated in the Dhyana (meditation) posture, laser-etched into the cliff and inlaid with gold.
Is Khao Chi Chan worth visiting?
For a serene, free and genuinely spectacular stop, yes. It's a quick visit rather than a long one — 30–45 minutes is plenty — but the scale of the cliff Buddha and the calm gardens make a memorable contrast to the city. It's best combined with nearby sights to justify the drive south.
Sources checked · 4
These are the pages used to check this guide. Opening hours, prices and other details can change after the recorded access date.
- Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) — Tourism Authority of Thailand · accessed
- Khao Chi Chan — ForeverVacation (entrance, hours, visitor guide) · accessed
- Google rating · accessed
- Price: tourismthailand.org · accessed